After Zombie Series (Book 1): After

by Samantha Gregory

  “Jenna run!” I cried.

  She swayed on the spot watching us. Opening her mouth, a trail of saliva ran down her chin. She growled and launched herself at the AS. He screamed as he hit the ground. She began clawing at him and gnashing her teeth.

  “Oh God, get it off me!” he screamed.

  I grabbed hold of her shirt and pulled her back.

  Struggling out from under her, the AS took off running into the tunnel, leaving his gun behind. I snatched it up. Jenna turned to face me.

  “Jen? Tell me you’re still in there.”

  She circled me, still issuing soft growls. There was no recognition on her face at all.

  “Please Jen.”

  She slashed a hand at me. I raised the gun automatically. Any other zombie, I would have happily pulled the trigger, but I couldn’t do that to her.

  “Don’t make me do this. You have to remember me. Or your mom and dad. They love you Jenna. And I…can’t lose you.”

  Her head cocked to one side as if she knew what I was saying. I felt a flicker of hope. Then she ran at me. I struck her across the face, knocking her out. I had no choice. I kneeled beside her, “Don’t worry, I’m going to fix this.”

  Twenty Five

  Wesley

  I unlocked the side door to the building, checking first that no one was around. Which was ridiculous. We were in the X quadrant; no one was going to accidently wander in and find this place.

  The school had long since been abandoned. It was the only place I could find that had a secure room. The boiler room was under the school and had not been damaged after the dusting.

  I moved through the building slowly. The silence was like a presence and I couldn’t stand it. Staring straight ahead, I headed for the basement. I avoided looking down. So many bodies. The cafeteria was the worst. Children and teachers had huddled under tables, trying to escape the zombies. They failed. When the place was dusted, no one made it out alive. It wasn’t a cure they used; it was something so strong not even the zombies survived it. I guess in a way it did ‘cure’ them.

  I hesitated outside the boiler room door.

  “Come on, you can do this,” I whispered.

  I opened the door and took a deep breath. It didn’t get any easier.

  I heard the chains clank from deeper inside the room. She was awake.

  “Jenna?” I called as I got closer.

  The reply was a deep throated growl. She tried to run at me but the chains held her in place.

  It had been a couple of weeks and there was no change. She was still one of them.

  I plastered a smile on my face, trying to act like everything was fine. I think it was more for my benefit than hers, “Hey, I’m back. I got the serum. It wasn’t easy, but the Alliance have cleared out of the factory. They’re probably off after your dad.”

  I filled the needle with the serum.

  “I know how to fix it, Jenna. To get you back. I promise, I’m going to fix you.”

  I jabbed the needle into my leg. That was step one. Now for the hard part.

  *

  The sirens blasted through the night air as I dropped off the chain-link fence. The AS wouldn’t be far behind. The heavy rain gave us some cover but we had to keep moving. Angela DeLuise, dropped to the ground beside me. She was out of breath and covered in mud, but she looked ready for anything.

  “This way,” I said, heading into the trees.

  “Wait, where is Jenna? Is she okay?”

  “She’s safe for now. I’ll take you to her.”

  We moved as quickly as we dared. My shoes kept slipping in the mud. The serum seemed to be wearing off faster than it had last time. I needed to get us out of here before it went completely. It had taken me longer than I thought to get into the compound.

  I saw movement to my right and pulled Angela to the ground. An AS kitted out in a black slicker, ran past us down the hill. We waited until he was a good distance away before moving again.

  We headed west down the hill. I parked my truck about a quarter of a mile away. Angela kept up with me as we ran. I had no idea how I was going to explain about Jenna. Or Tom. But if I was right, then Angela’s blood might hold the key to neutralising the X01.

  From out of the darkness, an AS appeared. He swung a fist at me. I ducked, spun and elbowed him in the face. It was amazing how easily it came, with the serum. I was faster, more agile. I swept his leg and he hit the ground with a grunt. Another punch and he was unconscious.

  Angela stared at me in shock.

  “Come on,” I said.

  We made it to the truck.

  “What the hell is going on?” Angela asked, once we were moving. “When did you turn into a ninja?”

  “It’s not me. It’s a serum that Tom was working on. I had no choice. I couldn’t get you out otherwise.”

  “No offense, but you don’t strike me as the selfless hero type. So what’s your reason for saving me and don’t lie.”

  “Jenna needs you. Something happened to her.”

  I turned a corner sharply, almost sending the car into a skid. The last thing we needed was to get into an accident. I dropped my speed.

  “Oh, God. Is she hurt? What’s wrong with her?”

  “It’s complicated. But I need some of your blood to make her better.”

  “My blood? Like a transfusion? Take it. Take it all, I don’t care.”

  “I won’t need it all,” I sighed, “It will be easier if I just show you.”

  She didn’t ask any more questions, but she sat chewing her nail, staring anxiously out the window.

  Over three hours later, we arrived at the school. Angela turned to me, wide eyed and I saw the resemblance with Jenna.

  “We’re going in here?”

  “It was the only place I could be sure the Alliance wouldn’t find her.”

  I did my usual checks before we entered the building. When Angela heard the grunts coming from the room, she hesitated.

  “What’s in there?”

  “You should brace yourself.”

  Walking slowly, she headed further in. Jenna’s head whipped up when she got closer.

  Angela gave a shuddering gasp, “Oh my God, my poor baby.”

  She began crying. Jenna lunged at her.

  “Don’t get too close,” I warned.

  “Did she get bit?” she asked.

  “No, which means I should be able to reverse it. If you give me the samples, I can get started.”

  Angela nodded; she rolled up her sleeve, her eyes never leaving Jenna.

  I took the sample. As I walked away, Angela grabbed my arm.

  “I don’t care what you have to do, but find a way to save her,” she said.

  I nodded.

  Jenna

  He was back. The boy. He was the one keeping me prisoner. I yanked on the chains above my head and roared at him. He was talking to me, but I didn’t understand the words. He approached me with a weapon. Something sharp pricked my arm. I shook the chains, snapping at him, but he stayed out of reach.

  The door opened behind him and a woman appeared. I felt a sense of familiarity with her. She didn’t seem to fear me, instead she looked upset. She was saying something. Jenna? What was that? No, not what, who. Me.

  I was Jenna.

  *

  I opened my eyes to find Mom sitting beside me, holding my hand. I was lying on a bunk in a room Ididn’t recognize. It was in semi-darkness. There were no windows and I had no idea how much time had passed..

  I tried to sit up but Mom, pushed me back down.

  “Just rest,” she said.

  “What happened?” I croaked.

  “You were sick, sweetheart. Very sick, but you’re better now.”

  The last thing I remembered was being at the compound. Then the alarm went off. After that, it was just a blank.

  “Where are Dad and Wesley?”

  “Wesley is sleeping in the other room. He sat by your bed all night. I don’t know where your dad is. I’
m sorry.”

  “So Wesley filled you in on Dad faking his own death?”

  “Yes, he did.” I heard the anger in her voice.

  “He said he did it to protect us.”

  “I learned a long time ago that your father does whatever he wants and damn the consequences.”

  “Are you okay, Mom? Did they hurt you?”

  She gave me a small smile, “I’m fine, sweetheart. I’m more worried about you.”

  “Where are we?”

  “At the minute, an old school. But we’re going to move once you’re strong enough. I know a place we can go. A farm that my grandfather owned. I haven’t been here since I was a child, but we should be safe there.”

  I wanted to ask her more but I was so tired. What did she mean when she said I was sick?

  I was drifting off when a sudden sharp pain ripped through my head. I cried out then my body began to convulse and I lost consciousness.

  Wesley

  “Wesley!” Angela shrieked.

  I was on my feet before I was even fully awake. I staggered out of the room and ran down the hall to Jenna’s room.

  She lay on her bed. Her eyes were rolled up into her head and her whole body was convulsing.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Angela said.

  “She’s having a seizure.”

  I untangled the sheets from around her and shifted the nightstand so she wouldn’t hit it.

  “Do something,” Angela urged.

  “There’s nothing I can do, just let her ride it out. It’s the last of the x01 leaving her system.”

  After a few seconds, the seizure stopped.

  ​“Does that mean she’s normal again?” Angela asked. I had explained as much as I could to her about what Jenna was and Tom’s part in it.

  “More or less. It’s neutralised, but I can’t guarantee it won’t take over again.”

  I moved aside so Angela could see to her.

  “I’ll do more tests later,” I said.

  “I don’t want her treated like a lab rat.”

  “I know. I don’t either. If the test is clear, then that’s it. Normal life from here on out.”

  Angela smoothed her hair back from her face.

  “Good. She deserves it.”

  Twenty Six

  Jenna

  The rain was so heavy that we could barely see more than two feet in front of us. Wesley slowed the truck to a crawl as we made our way down the dirt road to where Mom said the farm was.

  I was still weak from whatever ‘illness’ I had. Mom and Wesley were still being tight lipped about it. I slept for most of the ride, but now that we were close, I wanted to get a look at this place.

  “How much further?” Wesley asked.

  “Maybe another quarter mile? It’s been a long time since I was last here.”

  “Then how do you know it’s still there?” I asked from my spot between the two of them.

  “A family took over running it after we left. As far as I know, it’s still there. It might need some work though.”

  The road became narrower. The truck we were in was a piece of junk and I was surprised it even worked. It also didn’t have any heating. I shivered and huddled closer to Wesley for some heat. All I wanted to do was curl up in a warm bed.

  I saw Mom giving me a curious look. She didn’t know about us yet and after Dad’s reaction, I was reluctant to tell her. I sat back in my seat.

  “Wait,” Mom said a few minutes later, “I think that’s it.” She pointed through the windshield at a rusted fence.

  Wesley hopped out to open it.

  “Did Dad know about this place?” I asked. I still found it hard to believe that she had never spoken about it before.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  I saw the anger in her eyes. She was never going to forgive him and I didn’t blame her.

  “Look, baby, I’m sorry that I fell apart before. I guess you think that I abandoned you?”

  “No, Mom. I don’t. You’re not the one who left.”

  “It’s going to be better now. I promise. I’m going to take care of you. I won’t zone out again.” She pulled me against her and hugged me. I remembered all the times she had done the same when I was a child. I clung to her. Wesley got back in and drove us up the driveway. The house came into view. It was two stories, dilapidated and old. It seemed deserted.

  We all sat for a few minutes, no one wanted to make the first move. Finally, Mom opened her door. We both followed and made our way into the house. We moved slowly, alert for any noises. There was no electricity, but we had flashlights. From the layers of dust around the place, it was obvious no one had been here for a long time. There was very little furniture left and the roof was leaking in places.

  “Home sweet home,” I muttered.

  “It just needs a little work,” Mom said.

  I snorted, “Yeah, right.”

  “Why don’t we pick a room for you and you can lie down.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I’ll check the rooms,” she said. I let her go. I wasn’t in the mood to argue.

  Wesley was busy lighting some lanterns.

  “You okay?” I asked. “You’ve been kind of quiet since the compound.”

  He glanced up from the lantern, “I’m fine. You should get some sleep.”

  “Wesley?”

  He sighed, “It’s just been a long couple of weeks.”

  “Are we okay?”

  He smiled, “Yeah, of course.”

  He leaned down and gave me a kiss. There was a creak from the stairs and he quickly returned to the lights. So, he was worried about Mom too.

  “The back bedroom doesn’t have any leaks. I put a sleeping bag on the bed. Why don’t you go on up?” Mom said.

  I nodded and headed for the stairs. Sleep sounded good.

  Mom left a light in the room for me. It was empty of furniture except for the bed. I kicked off my shoes before crawling into the sleeping bag. Closing my eyes, I tried to sleep. The place didn’t seem like much, but maybe it was exactly what we needed. This could be a new start for all of us. If we could get this place fixed up, it could be a new home.

  Everything had been so crazy that I had almost forgotten what it was like to live a regular life. But in order to do that I needed to know for sure what happened to me.

  I got up and put my shoes back on. Mom was tidying up the kitchen and Wesley was slumped at the kitchen table, half asleep. They both looked up when I came into the room.

  “I want to know what happened to me,” I said.

  They exchanged glances.

  “I told you, baby, you were sick,” Mom said.

  “Mom, I’m not a child. Tell me what happened.”

  She nodded to Wesley.

  “What is the last thing you remember?” he asked.

  “The alarm at the compound,” I said, taking a seat at the table.

  “We got out of the compound and we headed into the X quadrant. The truck broke down so we had to go on foot. We found a small cave and, as we were heading inside, you were shot in the back of the neck.”

  I put a hand to the back of my neck but, of course, there was no wound.

  “Go on,” I urged.

  “I think that because it had been so soon after you were shot in the head-”

  “What! She was shot in the head!” Mom cried.

  “Mom, it’s okay.”

  “Okay? Okay? You were shot twice. Oh God, I can’t believe this is happening,” Mom said. She sat down heavily on a chair, her face drained of color.

  I reached out and clutched her hand.

  “I turned, didn’t I?”

  The expression on their faces said it all.

  “So why am I normal again?”

  “I neutralized the X01. It’s not a cure, but it’s a start.”

  I nodded slowly, trying to process it. So it had happened. I had become one of them. I ran to the sink and vomited. I sank to the floor, breath hitching. I had bee
n a zombie. I still was.

  Wesley knelt in front of me, “I’ll find a way to get rid of it completely, I promise. It won’t happen again.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because we’re safe. No one knows where we are. That means no more bullets or soldiers. Just boring normalcy.”

  “He’s right, honey. They’ll never get near you again. I swear.”

  I wanted so badly to believe them, but how would the two of them fare against an army?

  Twenty Seven

  Jenna

  I stepped into the barn, hesitating at the threshold. It appeared empty. Where was he?

  “Wesley? You’re not getting out of chores that easily,” I called. No answer. I took a step forward and was grabbed around the waist. Wesley grinned and pulled me against him.

  “Why do chores when you could stay here with me?” he kissed me.

  “You make a good argument.”

  We had been here for a few weeks now. A lot of it was spent recuperating, but I was finally starting to feel like myself again.

  So far, Wesley and I had tried to keep ‘us’ away from Mom. She hadn’t really said anything about the two of us, but I didn’t want to rub it in her face. A few days ago, she caught us kissing on the couch in the living room. She looked shocked but only muttered something about going to finish the laundry. I didn’t know how to speak to her about it. Actually, I was just surprised she didn’t lose it. She had changed since her time in the camp. I knew she was making the effort for me,but I spent two months with her in limbo and now she seemed to be throwing all her energy into fixing up this place.

  The farm was a complete wreck when we arrived, but we had been working hard at it, trying to turn it into a home. Even a temporary one. With both the AS and Chaos after us, I wasn’t holding out much hope of a long stay.

  When we came up for air, I grinned at him.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, I’m just happy. After all the horror we’ve seen, I never thought I would feel this way again.”